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Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont left a German jail Friday after judges ordered his release on bail as they mull his extradition to Spain on a corruption charge, while dropping the more serious charge of rebellion.

"I would like to thank everyone for their help and solidarity," Mr Puigdemont told reporters in German outside the Neumuenster prison, after posting bail of €75,000 (£65,000).

He said that there is now "no excuse" for the Spanish authorities not to sit down and find a political solution, that for years they have received nothing but violence and repression, a strategy which he says has now "failed".

“It’s a shame for Europe to have political prisoners," he told assembled supporters and media. "I always trust in European democracy based on the will of the people, separation of powers and human rights. That kind of democracy is at risk in Spain.”

After walking out of jail to the cheers and chants of his supporters, Mr Puigdemont started by thanking supporters in German.

Mr Puigdemont called for the release of all the Catalan "political prisoners".

A German court on Thursday rejected an extradition request for Mr Puigdemont Credit:
REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

He said this was no longer a domestic or internal issue, it was a question of European citizens fearing the crushing of democracy by states willing to do anything to stop the devolution of power.

His German lawyer Wolfgang Schomburg said he would continue the legal battle to have judges also rule out his extradition on the lesser charges of embezzlement.

"Only then are these proceedings ultimately finished," he said.

Madrid has estimated that some ‎€1.6 million in public money was improperly used to hold the referendum. If convicted, Mr Puigdemont faces up to eight years in jail.

As part of his bail conditions, Mr Puigdemont must remain in Germany and report to police weekly.